Re: "ABC Consumer Reports" doesn't recommend Linux

From: GreyCloud (cumulus_at_mist.com)
Date: 08/09/03 

Date: Sat, 09 Aug 2003 11:32:45 -0700

StoneCutter wrote:
>
> http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/features/consumerwatch/consumer_062403_walmart.html
>
> Wal-Mart Computer
> June 24 - Prices for computers are near the lowest they've ever been.
> The average this spring at retail stores was around $700, not
> including the monitor. Find out about some of the cheapest computers
> on the market today.
> At stores, you'll see plenty of computers that cost well under $1000,
> $749, $499, $439.
>
> Consumer Reports found computers for even less on Wal-Mart's web site.
> A Microtel Sysmar costs just $199.98 and Consumer Reports took a look
> at what you get.
>
> Consumer Reports' Dean Gallea explained what they found, "For $200,
> you get a fairly minimal computer. It has 128 meg of ram, a
> 10-gigabyte hard drive, which is small by today's standards, a CD-rom
> drive, but no modem or floppy."
>
> The biggest difference from other PCs is that instead of running
> Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows.
>
> Consumer Reports just tested Lindows on a similar computer from
> walmart.com that costs $300. On the surface, Lindows looks a lot like
> Windows, but it's not.
>
> Gallea gave an example of the difference, "Just adding a printer is
> complicated because you find a row of 20 icons that have obscure names
> like 'enable disable job spooling' rather than a button that says 'add
> printer.'"
>
> Another problem is the Lindows computers come with limited software.
> You can go to the Lindows web site and download other programs, but
> you have to pay $99 a year and you won't find many familiar programs.
>
> And, attaching a digital camera, scanner or PDA can be problematic -
> even impossible. Gallea got an error message when he tried to hook up
> a digital camera.
>
> Rather than buying a Lindows computer, Consumer Reports recommends
> spending a little more for a low-priced computer that uses Windows. It
> could save you a lot of hassles.
>
> Consumer Reports tested a variety of low-priced computers that use
> Windows. A good basic computer is the Dell Dimension 2350 for $480.

That's because M$ has an application barrier. This stifles
any competition.

Relevant Pages

  • "ABC Consumer Reports" doesnt recommend Linux
    ... The average this spring at retail stores was around $700, ... Consumer Reports found computers for even less on Wal-Mart's web site. ... Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • "ABC Consumer Reports" doesnt recommend Linux
    ... The average this spring at retail stores was around $700, ... Consumer Reports found computers for even less on Wal-Mart's web site. ... Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows. ...
    (comp.os.linux)
  • Re: "ABC Consumer Reports" doesnt recommend Linux
    ... > The average this spring at retail stores was around $700, ... > Consumer Reports found computers for even less on Wal-Mart's web site. ... > Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: "ABC Consumer Reports" doesnt recommend Linux
    ... > The average this spring at retail stores was around $700, ... > Consumer Reports found computers for even less on Wal-Mart's web site. ... > Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)
  • Re: "ABC Consumer Reports" doesnt recommend Linux
    ... A Microtel Sysmar costs just $199.98 and Consumer Reports took ... > Windows, it uses an operating system called Lindows. ... Like a SuSE box, with decent hardware. ...
    (comp.os.linux.misc)